The US Department of Education unveiled a strategy for states to increase tutoring, after-school and summer activities, and funds to address chronic absenteeism.
The administration claimed more accountability, reporting, grants, and technical assistance will help states boost student accomplishment, despite concerns that test results have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
During the pandemic’s first two years, elementary school kids’ reading scores reached their lowest levels since 1990, according to national test results released in 2022.
Math scores fell for the first time in the history of a nationally representative test, which dates back to 1970. The examinations were given from January to March 2020 and 2022.
The pandemic altered almost every element of the school environment, and experts warn that the difficult job of student rehabilitation may take years.
COVID-19 caused a 31% increase in chronic absenteeism between 2021 and 2022.
New Mexico, the state with the biggest number of Hispanic population, received the lowest national score on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card.
The administration’s strategy pushes states to include chronic absenteeism as an indication in federal statewide accountability standards.
The administration also promised to pursue additional federal monies to help raise attendance and provide more after-school and tutoring programs.
The government stated that some of the funds are already accessible under the American Rescue Plan and other programs.
